Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/121

Rh "I was afraid of being pushed off."

"Gee shoo!" Striker stared at the lad a second. "Say, that furiner was up there with ye? Did he try—"

"Yes, he did. If I hadn't clung fast for all I was worth, and dropped to the lower cross-tree when I got the chance, I would at this minute be out on the ocean a mile astern," and Larry shuddered.

"The Norwegian ought to be put into irons! Why don't you go to the old man and report?"

"What good would it do? It would only be another case of my word against Oleson's, for of course the fellow would deny everything."

"Yes, but have you got to stand this a-havin' a chap around as is achin' to do sech a dirty trick as that? I don't think you have, not by a jugful!"

"I certainly wish Oleson hadn't shipped on the Columbia. If it wasn't for him, this trip would just suit me, for every one of the others is a good messmate," responded Larry.

He had procured his oilskin and was putting it on, when there was a heavy tramping near the doorway, and Olan Oleson came in. He was about to withdraw upon seeing the boy and his companion,